By Elena Vasquez, Lead Editor
Valiant News Network | September 24, 2025, 10:11 AM MDT
The saga surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s return to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” took a dramatic turn as President Donald J. Trump intensified the controversy with a pointed post on X late on September 23, 2025, following the comedian’s first show back after a contentious suspension. Kimmel’s emotional monologue, aired Tuesday night on ABC, sought to address the backlash over his earlier remarks about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, yet Trump’s latest salvo—calling the reinstatement a “disgrace” and hinting at further action—has reignited conservative outrage. Last night’s developments, including mixed audience reactions and renewed boycott calls, underscore a deepening cultural divide, with conservatives viewing Kimmel’s return as a victory for liberal media over accountability.
Kimmel’s return, after a week-long suspension triggered by his comments linking the “MAGA gang” to Kirk’s assassination, featured a hoarse-voiced host thanking supporters across the political spectrum, including unexpected allies like Ted Cruz. His monologue, extended per audience member Kathy Hopkins, balanced humor with contrition, acknowledging the misstep while decrying Trump’s threats as “un-American.” Yet, the show’s 25% drop in viewership from its pre-suspension average—down to 1.33 million from 1.77 million—suggests a fractured audience.
Trump’s X post, timestamped 11:47 PM EDT, branded Kimmel a “failed comedian” whose return was a “gift to the radical left” and teased “legal consequences” for ABC, echoing his prior $16 million settlement threat. This follows his earlier celebration of the suspension, amplifying conservative discontent. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump ally, doubled down on X at 12:03 AM MDT, labeling Kimmel’s show a “threat to broadcast integrity,” fueling speculation of renewed license pressure.
Last Night’s Backlash: A Mixed Reception
The backlash was swift. On X, users like @PatriotVoice decried Kimmel’s “hypocritical tears” as a ploy, with #BoycottABC trending alongside #KimmelOut by midnight. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, on her 10:30 PM MDT YouTube stream, called the return “a slap in the face to Kirk’s family,” urging viewers to ditch Disney platforms. Meanwhile, Nexstar and Sinclair affiliates held firm, pre-empting the episode for local news, a move applauded by pro-Trump X posts as “standing against woke media.”
Supporters countered on X, with @FreeSpeechNow praising Kimmel’s “courageous stand” against censorship, though their voices were drowned by calls for advertiser pullouts targeting Disney’s Hulu and ESPN. Late-night rival Stephen Colbert, on “The Late Show” at 11:35 PM EDT, offered a satirical nod to Kimmel, but ratings suggest viewers are tuning out, with CBS down 15% year-over-year.
The Bigger Picture: A Cultural Fault Line
This update reflects more than a TV spat—it’s a microcosm of America’s cultural divide. Conservatives see Kimmel’s return as emblematic of a media elite shielded from consequences, while his defenders frame it as a free-speech triumph. Trump’s X post, with its legal threat, signals intent to escalate, potentially testing FCC powers in a way that could reshape broadcast norms. For VNN readers, the lesson is clear: vigilance over media accountability remains paramount, regardless of political leanings.
At Valiant News Network, we’re committed to Valiant, Verified, and Vanguard reporting—delivering the facts with respect for our institutions and an eye toward liberty’s defense. We’ll monitor this evolving story as it unfolds.
Signed,
Elena Vasquez
Lead Editor, Valiant News Network
